Speech #1050077538

Those successes I believe are in many ways historic. starting with the very opening days of that Congress in January 1995. the decision to reform Congress. to open the doors of this institution once again to the American people. to diminish the power of the allpowerful committee chairs that in the past did what they chose. not what the American people chose. for example. We also were able to pass what I think will go down in history as one of the most historic pieces of legislation of any Congress. basic fundamental welfare reform. giving our States the opportunity to replace welfare with work requirements. We passed illegal immigration reform. and freedom to farm legislation for the first time in 60 years. changing the face positively of American farming. We passed telecommunications reform. and this year plan to extend the life of the Medicare system that has saved the lives of my parents and so many other Americans. as well as tax relief for families. Last. but not least. we passed legislation that will balance our Nations budget no later than the year 2002. hopefully even sooner if we can keep our steady hand on the rudder in controlling wasteful Washington spending.